Melbourne teen considers legal action after being refused an Airbnb stay because she is Black

Sadia Mohamed was told she wasn’t able to book an Airbnb by a host because she is black. She is now considering legal action and says she doesn’t know if she’ll ever return to the app.

Sadia Mohamed picture with her sister, alongside the conversation she had with her Airbnb host. Source: Supplied

Sadia Mohamed, 18, was planning a trip with her sister and cousin on Airbnb, as her 19th birthday is coming up in a few weeks and she wanted to celebrate -- especially after Melbourne’s 111-day lockdown has now lifted. 

“I paid half the money. And the lady then responded back two days later,” Sadia told The Feed.

The host told Sadia on the Airbnb app, “If you are black, please forgive us for not receiving you.”

The message left Sadia feeling “very confused”.

“I don’t appreciate this at all!! This is pure RACISM. In a time like today especially, I’ll be sure to report you immediately,” Sadia wrote in response on Airbnb.

The exchange between Sadia and the Airbnb host. Source: Supplied

The host responded to Sadia on Airbnb: "I'm not discriminating against anyone, we don't really have the ability to deal with this, because it's happened more than once, And I'm sorry, because the whole building is like this, and the building management gave us an ultimatum."

"Respect is not hard, it comes from everyone's upbringing, and I don't want to do that."

The conversation prompted Sadia to take action, she decided to take screenshots and share them on Twitter.

"And Airbnb contacted me, and told me that they're investigating it and they froze her account," she said.

When Sadia shared the exchange between herself and her Airbnb host Helen on social media, it went viral.

"I'm very grateful like I honestly didn't think I was gonna get that much like attention to it," she said.

"Like I just wanted to show my friends and say like 'oh look this crazy girl'. I wasn't thinking much of it.

"And the amount of like, random people contacting me offering me places to stay. [I'm] really shocked and like overwhelmed, obviously and like they're really nice."

'Discrimination is unacceptable and has no place in our community'

Derek Nolan, Airbnb's Head of Public Policy for Australia, told The Feed in a statement that the company's mission is to create a world where everyone can belong anywhere.

"Discrimination is unacceptable and has no place in our community. We have removed a host and the listing in question and will continue to investigate the matter," Nolan said.

"We enforce a strict non-discrimination policy and under our Open Doors initiative, if a guest feels they have been discriminated against, we will provide personalised support to ensure they find a place to stay."

Kristen Hilton is the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner. When commenting on Sadia's experience, she said, "No one should have to put up with racism."

"In Victoria, it's against the law for you to be refused accommodation because of your race, your religion or another personal attribute protected by the Equal Opportunity Act," Hilton told The Feed in a statement.

Hilton says Victoria has strong and diverse multicultural and multifaith communities, however, many still experience discrimination due to their racial or religious backgrounds.

"Each year, race discrimination is among the most common themes we hear about in the complaints we receive," she said.

Hilton says accommodation providers also have a positive duty to eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment, and victimisation as far as possible. 

“This means they can't just deal with complaints if they arise; they must take proactive steps to stop discrimination from occurring in the first place,” she said.

Will Sadia use Airbnb again?

The ordeal has left Sadia doubtful about whether she’ll continue to use the app going forward. 

“I don't know what I want [Airbnb] to do, to be honest. I want her to definitely be completely kicked off all apps and not be able to share her home with anyone else,” she said.

“I'm really trying to avoid booking an Airbnb for my birthday. It just makes you feel uncomfortable just knowing that there are racist people on the app. 

“I wouldn't wanna go doing it again.”

Sadia believes there needs to be a shift in how people talk about race, especially after the past year with global Black Live Matter protests. 

It’s what led her to consider legal action.

“[I’m] really hurt that someone would not allow me to do something just based on the colour of my skin,” she said.

“And I'm currently talking to my uncle and I've been advised by legal aid to press charges.”